2023 Update: In Feb 2022 I posted a resignation from ‘Scientology’. This was a little ambiguous because just as Catholicism is not the Catholic Church, Scientology is not the Church of Scientology. In Nov 2022 I was excommunicated by the Church of Scientology. Since then I have continued my studies and come to different positions and clarifications. At one point I took down my resignation. But that did not resolve the ambiguity either. This emended post contextually clarifies my position in relation to recent interviews and writings.

It is no secret that I have distanced myself from the Church of Scientology these past few years. Being born into a family of Scientologists largely abiding by the Church of Scientology, this has been a slow difficult process. Recently I have been reading closely the seminal materials that comprise the Scientology canon and I came across the following, written in May 1950.

“Perhaps at some distant date only the unaberrated person will be granted civil rights before the law. Perhaps the goal will be reached at some future when only the unaberrated person can attain to and benefit from citizenship. These are desirable goals and would produce a marked increase in the survival ability and happiness of Man.” (Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, page 483)

I could not easily move past it. I disagree. No doubt such a practice contradicts various human rights conventions, not to mention legislation in many countries. Whatever good there is in Scientology, a literal ‘eternal’ reading of its principles posits a hierarchical metaphysic which can promote the ‘unpersoning’ of those who are found low on its scale. Such a reading unacceptable.

While hermeneutics is a broad field—and I do believe the passage above can be read historically in light of World War Two and the Cold War—the Church of Scientology has demonstrated to me personally and by testimony of others a literal reading and willingness to act on it.

I have therefore formally resigned from the Church of Scientology.

My continuing interest in Scientology is philosophical and theological. Such study is no small undertaking.